Note: "We find here a man of faith; a man who submits to affliction without murmuring. In all his history we find that he followed the commandments of the Lord. The Lord said to him in the beginning that if he followed His commandments he should be prospered in the land, and he was prospered. I wish to bear my testimony to the Latter-day Saints that all of us who will obey the commandments of God will be prospered in the land. Sacrifice doth bring forth the blessings of heaven." Heber J. Grant (Conference Report, Oct. 1899, p. 19)

1 Nephi 18:16
Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.

Note: "Let us also learn to be forgiving of our parents, who, perhaps having made mistakes as they reared us, almost always did the best they knew how. May we ever forgive them as we would likewise wish to be forgiven by our on children for the mistakes we make." Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign, Nov. 1989, pp. 6-7)

1 Nephi 17:55
And now, they said: We know of a surety that the Lord is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.

Note: "God revealed to Nephi the neccessity of building a ship. The means were not within his reach, but he felt it was right to build, and with that knowledge he proceeded to find the way to make the tools and build the ship. Did he make mistakes? Did he falter? No doubt,-else why did his murmuring brothers say: 'We told you you could not build a ship; we knew you did not have the widsdom.' But he knew he was right, and he knew that God would strengthen him in building. That thought held him; it supported him; and he succeeded in the task before him. So it is with us; when we are asked to do a thing, the question in our minds should be: Is that necessary; is that right? If so, then it shall be done, and God will open the way." David O. McKay (Conference Report, Apr. 1909, p. 68)

1 Nephi 17:50
And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

Note: Refer to JS-H 1:20; 1 Nephi 1:7; Daniel 8:27; Moses 1:10

1 Nephi 17:47
Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength.

Note: (D&C 95:12; Matthew 5:45; 1 Samuel 2:30; John 14:21; 15:10; Rom 2:11; Col. 3:25 refer in this text to 2 Nephi 26:24-28, 33) "It is common in our day to hear reference made to the unconditional love of God. If such an expression is intended to convey the idea that all will enjoy the love of God to the same degree, irrespective of what they do or how they live, such is incompatible with the testimony of the scriptures and the voice of the Lord himself (see D&C 95:12)." R. Millet and J.F. McConkie (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:136)

1 Nephi 17:35
Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.

Note: "...God may not always stop bows from breaking, but he does help in the construction of new ones." Dennis L. Largey (Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 1991 Sperry Symposium, p. 61)

1 Nephi 16:23
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?

Note: "No man possessing a correct understanding of the spirit of the gospel and of the authority and law of the Holy Priesthood will attempt for a moment to run before his file leader or to do anything that is not strictly in harmony with his wish and the authority that belongs to him. The moment a man in a subordinate position begins to usurp the authority of his leader, that moment he is out of his place, and proves by his conduct that he does not comprehend his duty, that he is not acting in the line of his calling, and is a dangerour character....He is in error the moment he acts contrary to and independent of the direction of his presiding officer; and if he continues in that course he will go astray entirely, and those who follow him will follow him astray." Joseph F. Smith (Gospel Doctrine, pp. 185-186)

1 Nephi 16:20
And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.

Note: See Alma 37:38-47; D&C 17:1

1 Nephi 16:10
And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.

Note: See 2 Nephi 9:40; Mosiah 13:4; Moroni 9:3-4; Mark 4:17 "The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.... 'The guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center' (1 Nephi 16:1, 3). Or, to put it in another prophet's words, 'Hit pigeons flutter.'... The world prefers that prophets either be dead or mind their own business. Some so-called experts of political science want the prophet to keep still on politics. Some would-be authorities on evolution want the prophet to keep still on evolution. And so the list goes on and on. How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness." Ezra Taft Benson (BYU Speeches of the Year, pp. 26-30)

1 Nephi 16:2
And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

Note: See Alma 45:23-24; 37:43-44; 12:9; D&C 11:2. "'Heed', as it is used in the Book of Mormon, has a certain permanency about it that is opposite to temporary obedience or alternating 'on again-off again' obedience. It is understood that as you continue to heed the Lord, you will not waver, vacillate, or complain, but rahter, you will weather the storm and persevere no matter what you may be called upon to endure: [1 Nephi 16:3]. Sometimes heed can mean to be careful. In King Benjamin's great sermon, at the temple, he tells us that we must take upon ourselves the name of Christ and then be careful to avoid transgression: "[Mosiah 5:11 and Moroni 7:14]....The Prophet Joseph used the word heed in telling the brethren that their mind, or intellect, could learn more than they thought. Contrary to the 'Fixed I.Q. Theory,' he taught: 'God has created man capable of instruction, with a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 51.) Could not this same principle apply to the Spirit?" Robert E. Wells (Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 1991 Sperry Symposium, pp.12-13)

1 Nephi 15:25
Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.

Note: "Let us all revive our individual and family prayers. Prayer is an armor of protection against temptation and I promise you that if you will teach your children to pray, fervently and full of faith, many of your problems are solved before they begin." Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 117 See Ether 2:14; James 5:16; Alma 17:3

1 Nephi 15:8
And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

Note: See 2 Nephi 33:2, 5; Alma 9:31; 3 Nephi 2:1; Mormon 1:14, 17; Ether 15:19; Moroni 8:28; 9:4-5.

1 Nephi 15:11
Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

Note: "One of Satan's greatest tools is pride:to cause a man or a woman to center so much attention on slef that he or she becomes insensitive to his Creator or fellow beings. It is a cause for discontent, divorce, teenage rebellion, family indebtedness, and most other problems we face." Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign, May 1979, p. 34)

1 Nephi 15:10
Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

Note: See 1 Nephi 22:16-17, 19; Helaman 5:20-52

1 Nephi 14:14
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

Note: "I believe the Bible as it read when it came fom the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors." Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 327

1 Nephi 13:26
And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

Note: "From the standpoint of numbers, equipment, training, and resources, the rag-tag army of the Colonists should never have won the war for independence. But America's destiny was not to be determined by overwhelming numbers, or better military weapons or strategy. As Adams declared: 'There's a divinity which shapes our ends.' God took a direct hand in the events that led to the defeat of the British. When the war was over, here is how Washington ascribed the victory; 'The success, which has hitherto attended our united efforts, we owe to the gracious interposition of heaven, and to that interposition let us gratefuly ascribe the praise of victory, and the blessings of peace.' (To the Executives of New Hampshire, Nov. 3 1789) It seems fashionable today for historians to 'secularize' our history. Mny modern scholars seem uncomfortable with the idea that a Divine Power had a hand in the beginnings of our nation. They seek to explain away what the colonists themselves saw as divine intervention in their behalf."

1 Nephi 13:19
And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.

Note: [President Benson quoting Wilford Woodruff] "'I am going to bear my testimony to this assembly, if I never do it again in my life, that those men who laid the foundation of this American Government...were the best spirits the God of Heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits, not wicked men. General Washington and all the men that labored for the purpose were inspired of the Lord' (Journal of Discourses, Sept. 16, 1898, p.89) [President Benson then added his testimony] Yes, our nation's foundation is spiritual. Without spirituality, we are no better than any of the other nations whcih have sunk into oblivion." Ezra Taft Benson (Righteousness Exalteth a Nation, p.4)

1 Nephi 13:16
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.

Note: "It was the Lord that inspired that little band of people [Pilgrams] who crossed the mighty ocean and landed at Plymouth rock, because they desired to worship him according to the dictates of their own conscience. He watched over them and safeguarded their descendants and those who followed them to America and in due time, there came an opportunity to establish liberty such as humankind had not known before." George Albert Smith (Conference Report, Oct. 1922 pp. 95-96)

1 Nephi 13:13
And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters.

Note: "Those who heard of my emprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" (Columbus-Don Quixote of Seas, Wasserman, p.18)

1 Nephi 13:12
And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.

Note: Great and Abominable Church see ch. 17-18. Often the relationship between God and his people has been characterized as a marriage. Thus, it is appropriate to characterize those who follow and support the beast as being 'drunk with the wine of her fornication.'

Revelation 17:1
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Note: AKA: 'The Great and Abominable Churh. See 1 Nephi 13:4-6.

2 Nephi 26:21
And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.

Note: See 1 Nephi 13:4-6, 26, 28; 14:10

2 Nephi 10:16
Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.

Note: "For the Nephites, 'Jews are nationals, persons from the kingdom of Judah. (2 Nephi 30:4; 33:8). 'Gentiles' are persons frome elsewhere. In this sense, the Latter-day Saints are called Gentiles (D&C109:60). In this vision the 'nations and kingdoms of ghe Gentiles' are the European nations." R. Millet and J. F. McConkie (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:89)

1 Nephi 13:3
And he said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles.

Note: "To blind the eyes is not to see or acknowledge the consequence of our actions. To harden the heart is to ignore or not be willing to accept counsel. To be led into the brod roads is to give in to worldly enticements and lose the influence of the Holdy Spirit in our lives....Temptation is like a magnetic force which holds a metal object in its power....Temptation cab be a compassionate way of warning us of possible dangers. It acts like a caution sign. It warns us of possible danger ahead. Temptation can alert the mind to turn away from an improper thought or act. As eternal beings living this earthly experience, we will not be free from temptation. Temptation implies an inner struggle to do that which is right....We should expect temptation, for without temptations there would be little education and little character improvement." Rulon G. Craven (Ensign, May 1996, pp. 76-77)

1 Nephi 12:17
And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost.

Note: Knowing that his people would be destroyed, why didn't Nephi give up? Refer to 1 Nephi 13:35; 15:5; 2 Nephi 26:7, 10; Alma 45:10-14; Mormon 5:1-2; Moroni 9:6 and Jacob 1:19.

1 Nephi 12:19
And while the angel spake these words, I beheld and saw that the seed of my brethren did contend against my seed, according to the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the devil, I beheld that the seed of my brethren did overpower the people of my seed.

Note: Refer to Jacob 2:13-17; 2 Nephi 9:28-30; Alma 1:6; 3 Nephi 6:10-16.

1 Nephi 11:36
And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Note: "The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost....The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, [Christ's baptism] as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence." Joseph Smith (History of the Chruch , 5:260-261)

1 Nephi 11:27
And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.

Note: Jeremiah 2:13; 1 Nephi 11:25

John 4:10
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Note: "The condescension of God (meaning the Son) consists in the fact that though he himself is the Lord Omnipotent, the very Being who created the earth and all things in it, yet being born of mortal woman, he submitted to all the Trials of mortality, suffering temptations, and pain of body, hunger , thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, 'except it be unto death' (Mosiah 3:5-8), finally being put to death in a most ignominious manner." Bruce R. McConkie (Mormon Doctrine, p. 155)

1 Nephi 11:26
And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of God!

Note: 1 Nephi 19:9

1 Nephi 11:32
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.

Note: John 3:16

1 Nephi 11:22
And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

Note: 1 Nephi 2:19; 2 Nephi 1:25; Jacob 2:18-19; 3 Nephi 13:33; 14:7-8; Ether 12:41; Matthew 7:7-8; Deut 4:29; John 5:39.

1 Nephi 10:17
And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

Note: "He stated that he had been commanded to keep the small plates for a 'wise purpose' in the Lord. That purpose would not be fully realized until the year 1828, when Joseph Smith would be involved (with Martin Harris) in the loss of the first 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon, pages translated from the large plates. At that point the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to turn to the small plates and undertake a translation of material which would cover apprximately the same time period as that which had been lost." R. Millet and J.F. McConkie (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:62)

1 Nephi 9:5
Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.

Note: "1 Nephi chapters 1-8 are apparently an abridgment of the book of Lehi; from that point on Nephi became an author rather than an editor." R. Millet and J. F. McConkie (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, p. 1:27)

1 Nephi 9:1
And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.

Note: "We must engage in activities that bring spiritual power. I speak of such activities as immersing ourselves in the scriptures. There is a power that flows into our lives when we read and study the scriptures on a daily basis that cannot be found in any other way." Ezra Taft Benson (1987-1988 BYU Devotional and Fireside Speeches, pp. 53-54)

1 Nephi 8:19
And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.